Highly perceivable tactile feedback by magnetic shape memory (MSM) technology

Abstract

This study concentrates on providing haptic feedbacks on an Aluminum surface using a push-push design MSM actuators. These actuators are created based on the idea of MSM effect which was invented by Kari Ullakko in 1996 at MIT. During last 30 years HCI has experienced a very significant development not only in vision interfaces but also in Haptic interfaces. Most of haptic devices use piezoelectric actuators that are very expensive. The goal of this project is to introduce MSM actuators as a comparable alternative actuator in many aspects including price, mechanical time, power dissipation and so on. Our results show that participants are able to perceive three of Haptic feedbacks with 100%, one ~95% and one in ~85% which is quite considerable. Therefore, we believe that MSM actuators can be the next industrial actuators in the world of haptic interfaces.